Mercer Island Reporter

Letter | ‘Snoopy citizens’ get personal information

March 12, 2013 · 1:28 PM Comments

There is something wrong with the law when any snoopy citizen can get my personal information from the city just by asking for it. I received the following email from the City of Mercer Island attorney.

Hello All,

I am writing to advise you that the city has received two public records requests from Marty Gale and Claus Jensen for a copy of the list of email addresses the city has put together to provide updates regarding the I-90 tolling proposal.

Under state law, we must release a copy of the list (which includes just your email address) to the requestors. We will be releasing the list tomorrow.

I apologize for this situation and for any unsolicited email you may receive as a result. Please know that the city takes your privacy seriously and wish we were legally able to handle this differently.

Very Truly Yours,

Katie Knight, City Attorney

I consider my personal email private and strongly object that the city is forced by law to give out this information because someone would like to see who is receiving information about the I-90 tolling. There is no possible reason why these people need this information, and I will call them out for what they are.

Snoopy busybodies who do not respect the rights of privacy for their neighbors.